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It pretty obvious that we need an attacking midfielder, especially if we're going to continue with a 4231 system. Currently, our options are Lingard, Pereira, Mata and Gomes. Gomes is still young, but unfortunately, the other three are not good enough to be starting for Man United. Actually, some would argue whether the three are even good enough to be at United, nevermind starting for them. As it is, they are, and to me, purchasing an attacking midfielder should be priority in Jan/summer.

Currently, we're being linked with the likes of Maddison, Havertz and Fernandes. All top players in their own right, but who do you guys think we should get and why?

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If possible, I believe we should get Odegaard. First I'll state reasons why it may be possible:

Emergence of Valverde

Zidane's interest in Pogba

United are ranked 20th for through ball accuracy in the EPL. For a side that are particularly boisterous in the transition phase, it isn't good enough. In contrast, Odegaard has the highest amount of completed through balls in La Liga, and a success rate of 42.11%. I feel United could really use a metronome to complement the exuberant attacking options at our disposal, as they can be susceptible to being excessively eager, thereby making the wrong decision. His technically proficient, and has a tenacious work rate. The latter is particularly important as Ole really stressed his desire to have United as being one of the hardest working teams in the league, and it would position the likes of Pereira (who is amongst the highest of our players when it comes to average distance covered) to not predominantly be introduced in the starting berth.

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Out of Maddison, Bruno, Grealish and McGinn I would probably choose Grealish but really if it’s possible Havertz hand down. Haven’t seen that much this season but if last year is anything to go by it’s a no brainer because after January I think it was he went to another level.

Think we’d be fools not to try everything we could to get him especially if Pogba leaves. My only concern would be that for me he is more of a finisher than a creator and just maybe we might be better with someone who might create more for what we already have.

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Agree with @Rasendori, Ødegaard could be an astute signing for United. Has a knack for delivering perfectly placed/timed final balls (which is a characteristic that can't really be trained unless you have an innate sense of time/space and a deft touch), like this:

Technically accomplished, quite press resistant and explosive in short bursts (in contrast with an Eriksen or Mata), a proficient dribbler and markedly industrious for a flair-based creative player. One of the best players in La Liga this season, and could be a complete package at the position in short order. Plus, he was used in varied roles in different segments of the pitch at Vitesse (where he matured a great deal) and now Sociedad — players with those qualities add supplementary value to the squad as a whole.

e.g. He could easily play in these positions, which would open up a lot of possibilities in a myriad setups...

Olmo or Kulusevski could also be quality additions — young, technically robust, fairly explosive and versatile.

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Should be Pogba when fit. Long term dependent on who our midfield 2 will be. Maddison would be great, Gomes has potential but not ready yet and question if he'll ever manage it in the prem. Lingard until we bring someone in if Pogba is out.

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If possible, I believe we should get Odegaard. First I'll state reasons why it may be possible:

Emergence of Valverde

Zidane's interest in Pogba

United are ranked 20th for through ball accuracy in the EPL. For a side that are particularly boisterous in the transition phase, it isn't good enough. In contrast, Odegaard has the highest amount of completed through balls in La Liga, and a success rate of 42.11%. I feel United could really use a metronome to complement the exuberant attacking options at our disposal, as they can be susceptible to being excessively eager, thereby making the wrong decision. His technically proficient, and has a tenacious work rate. The latter is particularly important as Ole really stressed his desire to have United as being one of the hardest working teams in the league, and it would position the likes of Pereira (who is amongst the highest of our players when it comes to average distance covered) to not predominantly be introduced in the starting berth.

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The way Ole wants to play means there’s no way we’d be after a player in the Isco mould! He’ll want a player that’s quick, good at pressing and incisive. It’s also why I can’t see Pogba playing there when he’s fit ( more likely to take the Fred role)

Sancho playing there is an interesting proposition as he possesses the skills I’ve mentioned above

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Maddison or Grealish - I’d take either, 7 goals and 5 goals respectively this season. Good returns.
Erickson is a more realistic target for January. Cant see Maddison going anywhere until summer earliest with Leicester flying high.

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I do see Pogba playing ahead of Fred and McT. I hope he does as he’s our most creative player and could thrive with a solid, hard working duo behind him.
Would be a shame to see him waltz back into a CM slot if the other 2 continue their good partnership.
Does PP not want to play further up the pitch, too?

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I personally hope we stay away from Maddison because paying Leicester close to the £100m that I think they will demand for him, would be sheer stupidity for a team that needs multiple upgrades.

Odegaard in a potential Pogba deal to Madrid would be a intelligent way to bring in a potentially high calibre player for the AM spot. Great nous and know how in the last third and is coming along very well in a tactical sense, where his off the ball game and positional play is proving to be very fruitful for his current coach due to the flexibility he provides along with the craft and guile going the other way.

Zaniolo from Roma with Smalling going the other way should also be on the cards for obvious reasons. Reminds me of Kaka in the way he plays the game and even models his game on the ex AC Milan and Brazil star. He's a quality dribbler and links up superbly well with the attack and is versatile enough to work the channels/flanks. Also has a big goal threat, including headers which make him a potentially outstanding option for the role due to the variety of excellence he has in his locker. Some in Italy have already touted him as the biggest young talent in the country.

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Agree with @Rasendori, Ødegaard could be an astute signing for United. Has a knack for delivering perfectly placed/timed final balls (which is a characteristic that can't really be trained unless you have an innate sense of time/space and a deft touch), like this:

Technically accomplished, quite press resistant and explosive in short bursts (in contrast with an Eriksen or Mata), a proficient dribbler and markedly industrious for a flair-based creative player. One of the best players in La Liga this season, and could be a complete package at the position in short order. Plus, he was used in varied roles in different segments of the pitch at Vitesse (where he matured a great deal) and now Sociedad — players with those qualities add supplementary value to the squad as a whole.

e.g. He could easily play in these positions, which would open up a lot of possibilities in a myriad setups...

Olmo or Kulusevski could also be quality additions — young, technically robust, fairly explosive and versatile.

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Agree with @Rasendori, Ødegaard could be an astute signing for United. Has a knack for delivering perfectly placed/timed final balls (which is a characteristic that can't really be trained unless you have an innate sense of time/space and a deft touch), like this:

Technically accomplished, quite press resistant and explosive in short bursts (in contrast with an Eriksen or Mata), a proficient dribbler and markedly industrious for a flair-based creative player. One of the best players in La Liga this season, and could be a complete package at the position in short order. Plus, he was used in varied roles in different segments of the pitch at Vitesse (where he matured a great deal) and now Sociedad — players with those qualities add supplementary value to the squad as a whole.

e.g. He could easily play in these positions, which would open up a lot of possibilities in a myriad setups...

Olmo or Kulusevski could also be quality additions — young, technically robust, fairly explosive and versatile.

Yes, and to add to that, his delivery of final balls also extend to his set-piece delivery as he is a true specialist in this area.

He ticks so many boxes in what we're looking for at the moment, it's almost crazy that this player is of the same nationality as the coach. I just hope it means we could get him?

He plays in a position where we have the least coverage, and offers creativity and playmaking abilities to a side that has more pace and power than finesse. When getting him you're not really sacrificing work-rate or pace either because he is more than able to beat a man or two out wide.
All things considered, he would be the best offensive signing we could possibly make right now. He is playing the style I hoped Gomes would evolve into one day. He is the type of player that could unlock Rashford, Martial, Greenwood, James with all their runs in behind. Make the whole team a lot more effective. Also against teams that sit deep he would help with keeping the ball and build up play, not to mention contribute with that final ball we sorely lack. He is a special player and he would just fit in so damn well with our current set of players it's a shame if we don't get to see such a talented and beautifully balanced attacking set up.

I don't see the point of Eriksen, Grealish, Fernandes and Maddison. Good players but I don't think it's wise to go for a player that only works as a nr. 10 if we're getting half the player he is when he plays in another position. We've sort of been through it with Mata, Fellaini and even Pogba. Sometimes you want your players to be able to not suck completely just because of a small tactical change in the set up. Doesn't have to be like Odegaard where he can play as a winger, as a 10, and possibly as a b2b playmaker but it is important that if he is a midfielder that he can actually play in midfield too, and if he is an attacker that he can hold his own out wide if need be. The players I've mentioned are all playing from the left too where we have Rashford, Martial, James, Gomes etc.

Odegaard, Sancho, Haaland. Incredibly enough, probably the best options and they should be transferable and not too expensive. Weird but the fact they are realistic makes me doubt it so much more

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Ziyech, Zaniolo and Kai Havertz with McTominay behind them in a defensive holding position. Fecking perfect! Pogba has a foot out of the door already, so use the money from his sale and we can afford all 3 players. Get Haaland to compete with Greenwood and dump Martial. Supported all these players all this time, but need a proper clean up. Dump Shaw, Rojo, Bailly, Mata, Lingard and Jones in the process as well.